Donna Murray-Brown Bio

Donna Murray-Brown is the president and CEO of Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA), a charitable organization dedicated to nonprofits and the communities they serve by promoting antiracism and social justice. MNA, a statewide membership organization, achieves its mission through advocacy, training, technology services and civic engagement. Murray-Brown is the driving force behind MNA’s strategic direction and operations.

Before becoming president and CEO in 2013, Murray-Brown served as director of the Metro Detroit Partnership Office and senior director of capacity building at MNA where she led a successful strategic alliance program for arts and culture organizations in metro Detroit and steered the merger negotiations of four organizations to create the Belle Isle Park Conservancy. Additionally, Murray-Brown has served over 20-years in various senior management roles in the banking industry, including vice president and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) director for Charter One Bank, where she developed and executive CRA strategy.

Murray-Brown is the past chair for the National Council of Nonprofits and vice chair of the Detroit Public Television Board of Trustees. In 2019, she was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to serve on Northern Michigan University’s Board of Trustees, and she joined Candid’s board in 2021.

Murray-Brown earned a master’s degree in Community Development from the University of Detroit Mercy, and a BS in Business Administration from Central State University. She holds certifications in corporate community affairs from Boston College and strategic perspectives in nonprofit management from Harvard Business School.

Joan Gustafson - Bio

Joan Gustafson is External Affairs Officer for Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA). MNA is a statewide membership organization dedicated to serving the diverse nonprofit sector through civic engagement, data and technology, and advocacy.

Ms. Gustafson is responsible for the development and execution of a comprehensive public affairs and communication strategy for the organization. Previously, she spearheaded the communication and government affairs efforts for the International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI). Prior to joining IFPTI, Joan was the Regional Director of West Michigan for Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and served as the Governor’s liaison and ombudsman for the region.

Joan holds a degree in economics from the University of Minnesota. Joan was also appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports for a term commencing May 22, 2020 and expiring April 30, 2022.

Kelley Kuhn - Bio

In her role as vice president of Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA), Kelley Kuhn provides ongoing support and expertise to management and senior leadership personnel. Founded in 1990, Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) is a 501 © (3) charitable organization dedicated to nonprofits and the communities they serve by promoting anti-racism and social justice and Kuhn executes MNA’s core values and beliefs.

Prior to joining MNA, Kuhn worked for a variety of entities including the Jackson County Community Foundation and the Jackson Nonprofit Support Center where she served as executive director.  

Kuhn earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health Education from Western Michigan University and holds an MBA from Eastern Michigan University. In January 2021, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Kuhn to the bipartisan Protect Michigan Commission.  

Kuhn, whose pronouns are she/her/hers, is passionate about volunteering in her local community and helping nonprofits. She believes nonprofits are at the heart of addressing some of the most pressing issues in local communities. Kuhn resides in Saline with her family and their adorable dog, Jackson.

Mariana C. Martinez Bio

Mariana is the Director of Civic Engagement Initiatives at Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) where she leads statewide initiatives such as the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission Initiative. She educates nonprofits on how their communities can have a voice in creating more equitable and representative districts.

Mariana has dedicated over a decade to leading nonprofits and creating change. Most recently, she served as Chief of Staff for Detroit City Council Member Raquel Castañeda-López. In that role, she directed all strategic efforts and led the Immigration Task Force (ITF), an initiative that highlights Detroit as a welcoming, inclusive, and global city. Mariana has also managed other nonprofit organizations including Global Ties Detroit and she served as the assistant to the vice president at The Kresge Foundation. Prior to moving to Detroit, Mariana was formerly the Deputy Director at IGESA, a nonprofit organization in Paris, France.  Mariana currently serves on the board of the executive committee at Global Ties Detroit and she is also co-chair of the Alumni Council for Cultural Vistas. 

Mariana, whose pronouns are she/her/hers, earned a master’s degree in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management from Oakland University, and a BA in Psychology from Western Connecticut State University.  

Mariana resides in Detroit with her two dogs, Toño and Shelby.